If you received a BSW within the past five years of your intended MSW start date, you are eligible for advanced standing admission. If you received a BSW outside of this time frame, or if you have a bachelor’s degree other than a BSW, you are eligible for regular standing admission.

Admissions decisions to the MSW program are primarily based on a review of your previous undergraduate and graduate work, your experience in human services (paid, volunteer, research, and internship), and the references and written documentation you provide. You must meet the following criteria:

Evidence of an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

An undergraduate record that reflects a liberal arts perspective as demonstrated by the successful completion of a minimum of six courses in social or behavioral sciences. Courses from the following disciplines are accepted: social work, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, human services, political science, government, criminal justice, and/or languages.

Note: Other social or behavioral sciences courses outside of the listed disciplines may be accepted.

An undergraduate record that reflects successful completion of a college-level math course or equivalent.

Critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing, as reflected in the application questions and required writing sample and statement.

Evidence of personal qualities considered important for social work practice.

It is the policy of the School of Social Work that no student or applicant who has been convicted of sex offenses against children shall be eligible for admission or continuation into the BSW, MSW or Ph.D. programs.

Note: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT), and other graduate tests are not required.

Once you submit your application, you will receive a number of emails regarding the application process:

The first email includes a copy of your application.

The second email notifies you of your application progress.

As part of the IUSSW application process, you must provide three professional references. Once your references provide the necessary information requested by the School, you will receive an email that confirms your application is ready for committee review.

Once the committee review is complete, you will receive an email with a decision of admission. To accept an offer of admission, you must complete an intent form and submit a non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit within a given time frame. Failure to meet this deadline may be cause for cancellation of admission. The offer of admission provides specific details about the intent form and enrollment process. Once you enroll in the program, your enrollment deposit is credited toward your tuition.

Should you choose not to enroll in the semester for which admission was granted, the IUSSW allows deferrals of up to one year. If you defer admission, you must confirm your intent at the time of the next enrollment/admission period.

Note: Admitted students who do not attend classes within the one-year admissions period forfeit their enrollment deposit.

Admissions with Conditions

Full admission to the MSW program is granted when all admission requirements are met. Tentative admission is granted contingent upon meeting specific conditions. Such conditions include:

Qualified applicants are admitted before completing their bachelor's degree requirements. Satisfactorily complete your undergraduate degree and provide a final official academic transcript before you register for the first semester.

Qualified applicants do not have the minimum credit hours for the courses in social or behavioral sciences requirement.

Qualified applicants do not have the minimum of a college-level math course or equivalent.

Qualified applicants do not have other necessary requirements or materials.

Note: All conditions must be met and materials obtained before the first semester starts.

Tentative admission is changed to full admission once you have met the specified condition(s). Failure to fulfill these conditions(s), as stated above and/or in the offer of admission, may result in cancellation of admission.

IU School of Social Work is headquartered on the IUPUI campus with locations on 8 IU Campuses. The school also has the Department of Labor Studies